I Resolve To Do Less. No, Really.

I will say I am not one for resolutions. I always have an idea of things I would like to do differently, but I very rarely actually make a resolution. I don't deal well with the self-condemnation that comes when I inevitably mess it up.

I have decided that instead of focusing on what I might do differently in the upcoming year (which tends to remind me of all of my shortcomings) that I will reflect on what I think (insert air quotes around this next word) "I" actually did RIGHT in 2010.

I have had some victories in 2010, none of which, ironically, have much to do with anything (here come those air quotes again) "I" have done to change. You see, I am learning that change comes most effectively when you RELINQUISH control and say. Yeah. There is absolutely, without a doubt, nothing I can do about this. And strangely, while this seems like potentially the worst place to be, it really is the BEST place to be.

HELP.

God? (you know, the one who actually has the ability to control things)

Please, help. God.

Please.

Will you HELP?

And you know what? He will. He REALLY will.

I KNOW this to be true. I've experienced this in both tangible and intangible ways. He has blown me away with how He helps when I let Him. But you know what? I STILL don't trust Him with everything. I have experienced true peace in circumstances that should not AT ALL feel peaceful, yet still so many times, I don't choose that peace. I choose worry, and fretting, and obsessing. Ick. Why? I don't know, but it's true. However, I do find the more times I choose His peace and genuinely relinquish control, the more I actually at least consider trusting Him with a situation instead of worrying, fretting, obsessing. I know. How good of me actually consider trusting the Creator of the whole stinking universe with my little (to Him) problems. It's absurd when you think about it, but nonetheless, TRUE.

So, maybe I will make a resolution this year. Maybe I will resolve to do less, and allow HIM to DO MORE. Somehow I think that will affect more change than any resolution (insert air quotes) "I" could possibly make.

A Friendly Reminder To Myself

My Worth is NOT in...

...What other people think of me.
...How much I weigh.
...How clean my house is.
...How well my kids behave.
...What other people say about me.
...How pretty I am.
...How smart I am.
...How funny I am.
...How many friends I have.
...How cute my clothes are.
...How successful I am.
...What kind of job I have.
...How much money I have.
...The mistakes I have made.
...How tall my laundry pile is.
...The good things I do (or do not do) for others.

Just to name a FEW.

My worth IS in...

...How GOD sees me!

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."

Psalm 139:14

"You make everything GLORIOUS, what does that make me?!"

Everything Glorious by David Crowder Band

My Favorite Christmas Gift (Other Than The Obvious One, Of Course!)

So, I have to share with you my favorite Christmas gift this year. Check it out.

It's a Bible! And it's PINK AND BROWN! And it looks like a clutch purse, complete with a handle! LOVE.

Seriously, I love it so much. Rich did well. Of course, I did actually find it while shopping and practically beg him to buy it for me, but he did! Yay! Isn't it just wonderful how God humors us with these things? I mean if I were to design a Bible for myself it would look just like this. I think He loves to bless us with little pleasures like this.

Now on a more serious note, aside from the aesthetic appeal of this item, we all know it is truly the INTERIOR that counts. It has become more and more evident to me over the last year or so, just how VALUABLE and NECESSARY the interior of this precious package is.

Consider the handle on this Bible with me. I could literally carry it around all the time. What a parallel for life. I have been learning not to underestimate the importance of (more figuratively) carrying around His truth with me wherever I go.

It's what is necessary for me to have PEACE despite DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES.

It's what is necessary for me to have JOY amidst SADNESS.

It's what is necessary for me to replace NEGATIVE thoughts with POSITIVE ones.

It's what is necessary for me to KNOW TRUTH instead of believing LIES.

It's what is necessary for me to WAIT and TRUST even when things don't make ANY SENSE to me.

The list could go on, but those are the ones I have been dealing with the most lately and honestly I wouldn't trade this little pink and brown bible for anything. You could change the color and the size, and take off the handle (although I would still prefer you didn't...ha!) and it wouldn't matter, because as the saying goes, it is truly what is on the INSIDE that counts!

Can't Say They Are Lacking In Enthusiasm!

Cummings Family "Christmas Card" 2010

Merry CHRISTmas!

May the joy and wonder of that very first Christmas be with you this and every year!